On 4 January 1960 Albert Camus, the writer, absurdist philosopher and beloved intellectual pin-up of post-war France, was returning to Paris from his home in Provence after the Christmas holiday. Just short of his destination, the Facel Vega in which he was...

Atheism is a dirty word. But not as dirty, apparently, as humanism.

Recently published census data shows that the number of non-religious people in England and Wales has risen from 15 to 25% in the past ten years. Never mind that the actual figure is probably a good deal...

Am I the only person outside North Korea and China who was saddened to learn of the Dear Leader's passing? At the risk of giving you the wrong idea, I confess a tiny part of me grieved for the death of Kim Jong Il this weekend in precisely equal measure...

"What came first - the music or the misery? Did I listen to music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to music?" High Fidelity, Nick Hornby

I have a pet theory that needs walking, concerning the differing ways in...

"I think self-destruction is honourable. It's an act of great control."

In a strong field these words are the most reckless and idiotic that Morrissey has ever uttered in public. Aired two years ago...

Prime Minister Julia Gillard may be an avowed atheist, but if the Australian music-buying public is anything to go by, she's a tad out of step with her electorate. You might say she's not singing from the same hymn sheet. God Is...

If you ever hear Haunted Dancehall (Nursery Remix) by Sabres of Paradise on daytime Radio 1, turn the TV on. Something terrible has just happened, possibly involving the death of the queen or an untold number of her subjects. If you're a fan of ambient and chill-out music, try watching...